The chapter starts off with introducing the most important principles of Taoism named, the ‘P’u’ or the ‘Uncarved Block’. They explain it in a Taoist manner, not trying too hard to explain it, because then it would be considered as an idea that can be ignored, also teaching the correct pronunciation. It states that the principle is that things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, but power that can be easily lost when that simplicity is changed. It tells the reader that Uncarved Block in chinese character means natural, simple, plain and honest, which is composed of two different characters, the first radical indicating ‘tree or wood’, second, indicating ‘growth or thicket’, which together means things in their natural state. It also explains how the Taoist principle applies to things in their natural beauty, function and people, and to be simple minded. When this chapter explains about being simplistic, it talks about Pooh, how they were looking for the pit, and the harder they tried, they couldn’t find it, so Pooh suggested that they should look into the pit itself, where they might end up finding things they weren't looking for, but actually find the very thing they were looking for, and eventually they did, because of Pooh being simple-minded. Then Pooh and Piglet start to talk about Rabbit, how he is very clever, but maybe that is why he does not understand anything. They explain Rabbit, Owl and Eeyore’s attitude, how Rabbit’s thinks that of Knowledge for the sake of being clever, the Owl is that of Knowledge for the sake of appearing wise and Eeyore is that of Knowledge for the sake of complaining about something. Pooh and Piglet explains that this complexity gets in the way of things like wisdom, happiness and it prevents any sort of real accomplishment in life. So if you have a simplistic mind, it will lead to wisdom, just like Pooh. If you discard arrogance, complexity and other things that get in the way, you can later discover that being simple, childlike, leads to the secret that ‘life is fun’, and how if you become the state of the Uncarved Block, you can have the ability to enjoy the simple and quiet, natural and plain, and being able to do things without thinking, and have them work.
1. What are some characteristics of the Uncarved Block? What characteristics of Pooh suggests that he is an epitome of the Uncarved Block?
2. On page 12, the author says, “no matter how he may seem to others...Pooh, the Uncarved Block, is able to accomplish what he does because he is simpleminded.” Do you think this it true in real life as well?
3. Pooh says, “[Rabbit] never understands anything” (p.15), because he has Cleverness and brain. What do you think about the irony? Is it true?
4. Do you think being simpleminded is better than being clever?
5. The author divides knowledge into three types: Rabbit’s Knowledge for the sake of Being Clever, Owl's Knowledge for the sake of Appearing Wise, and Eeyore's Knowledge for the sake of Complaining About Something. Do you see knowledge necessarily as bad and useless?
6. How does the reasoning of Pooh’s visit to everybody reveal the way (p.20) Simplicity of the Uncarved Block leads to the secret, “Life is Fun.”
Thematic analysis
"Well, this idea is all very nice, but what does it amount to?" (p.10)
"So from "tree in a thicket" or "wood not cut" comes the meaning of "things in their natural state"."
In this chapter " the Tao of who?" depicts a theme that is trying to explain Taoism and who influenced and started Taoism.
By the quote " Now I know where we are !" it again depicts us the foundlings of Taoism. As the theme states it, Taoism is
a way of finding the true way.
By using positive behaviors and ideas you can search the real true way without any barriers.
" NO," said Pooh, "But there are twelve pots of honey in my cup board and they've been calling to me for hours."
This quote shows how if knowing the Taoism and if you just follow the Taoism there will be a wa if you are lost and
there will always be hope. So the theme basically reminds us again of the way of Taoism. How if you believe in Taoism you can reach your
final destination and even though you think you are lost you can always find a way if you believe in Taoism.
This theme can be related to plastic surgery in our modern society. A majority of Koreans, especially, are choosing plastic surgery as a way to gain advantage in job hunting and gain attraction. According to Hoff, simplicity is the best characteristic to have. However, judging from increasing cases of plastic surgery across the globe, it seems people choose to stay away from showing off their pure beauty as the "Uncarved Block," fixing their eyes, nose, and even facial shape. I think it is time we question whether plastic surgery is worth the risk: risk of losing one's identity, losing simplicity, and thus losing their happiness, as Pooh suggests.
‘The Tao of Who~?’
The chapter starts off with introducing the most important principles of Taoism named, the ‘P’u’ or the ‘Uncarved Block’. They explain it in a Taoist manner, not trying too hard to explain it, because then it would be considered as an idea that can be ignored, also teaching the correct pronunciation. It states that the principle is that things in their original simplicity contain their own natural power, but power that can be easily lost when that simplicity is changed. It tells the reader that Uncarved Block in chinese character means natural, simple, plain and honest, which is composed of two different characters, the first radical indicating ‘tree or wood’, second, indicating ‘growth or thicket’, which together means things in their natural state. It also explains how the Taoist principle applies to things in their natural beauty, function and people, and to be simple minded. When this chapter explains about being simplistic, it talks about Pooh, how they were looking for the pit, and the harder they tried, they couldn’t find it, so Pooh suggested that they should look into the pit itself, where they might end up finding things they weren't looking for, but actually find the very thing they were looking for, and eventually they did, because of Pooh being simple-minded. Then Pooh and Piglet start to talk about Rabbit, how he is very clever, but maybe that is why he does not understand anything. They explain Rabbit, Owl and Eeyore’s attitude, how Rabbit’s thinks that of Knowledge for the sake of being clever, the Owl is that of Knowledge for the sake of appearing wise and Eeyore is that of Knowledge for the sake of complaining about something. Pooh and Piglet explains that this complexity gets in the way of things like wisdom, happiness and it prevents any sort of real accomplishment in life. So if you have a simplistic mind, it will lead to wisdom, just like Pooh. If you discard arrogance, complexity and other things that get in the way, you can later discover that being simple, childlike, leads to the secret that ‘life is fun’, and how if you become the state of the Uncarved Block, you can have the ability to enjoy the simple and quiet, natural and plain, and being able to do things without thinking, and have them work.
Pictures bibliography:
"Network Chiropractic and CranioSacral Therapy."Network Chiropractic and CranioSacral Therapy. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Oct. 2011. <http://10ac.com>.
"Pooh Corner." Pooh Corner. N.p., n.d. Web. 3 Oct. 2011. <http://pooh-country.co.uk>.
Discussion Questions
1. What are some characteristics of the Uncarved Block? What characteristics of Pooh suggests that he is an epitome of the Uncarved Block?
2. On page 12, the author says, “no matter how he may seem to others...Pooh, the Uncarved Block, is able to accomplish what he does because he is simpleminded.” Do you think this it true in real life as well?
3. Pooh says, “[Rabbit] never understands anything” (p.15), because he has Cleverness and brain. What do you think about the irony? Is it true?
4. Do you think being simpleminded is better than being clever?
5. The author divides knowledge into three types: Rabbit’s Knowledge for the sake of Being Clever, Owl's Knowledge for the sake of Appearing Wise, and Eeyore's Knowledge for the sake of Complaining About Something. Do you see knowledge necessarily as bad and useless?
6. How does the reasoning of Pooh’s visit to everybody reveal the way (p.20) Simplicity of the Uncarved Block leads to the secret, “Life is Fun.”
Thematic analysis
"Well, this idea is all very nice, but what does it amount to?" (p.10)
"So from "tree in a thicket" or "wood not cut" comes the meaning of "things in their natural state"."
In this chapter " the Tao of who?" depicts a theme that is trying to explain Taoism and who influenced and started Taoism.
By the quote " Now I know where we are !" it again depicts us the foundlings of Taoism. As the theme states it, Taoism is
a way of finding the true way.
By using positive behaviors and ideas you can search the real true way without any barriers.
" NO," said Pooh, "But there are twelve pots of honey in my cup board and they've been calling to me for hours."
This quote shows how if knowing the Taoism and if you just follow the Taoism there will be a wa if you are lost and
there will always be hope. So the theme basically reminds us again of the way of Taoism. How if you believe in Taoism you can reach your
final destination and even though you think you are lost you can always find a way if you believe in Taoism.
This theme can be related to plastic surgery in our modern society. A majority of Koreans, especially, are choosing plastic surgery as a way to gain advantage in job hunting and gain attraction. According to Hoff, simplicity is the best characteristic to have. However, judging from increasing cases of plastic surgery across the globe, it seems people choose to stay away from showing off their pure beauty as the "Uncarved Block," fixing their eyes, nose, and even facial shape. I think it is time we question whether plastic surgery is worth the risk: risk of losing one's identity, losing simplicity, and thus losing their happiness, as Pooh suggests.